Colombian Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Millions from Venezuelans in 20-Year US Pyramid Scheme, Wedding at French Chateau

A Colombian man has pleaded guilty to operating a pyramid scheme that defrauded over 600 investors in the United States, including millions stolen from Venezuelan victims. Federal investigators traced the fraudulent activities from South Florida to a French chateau, where the man reportedly financed a wedding. The investigation revealed that the scheme spanned two decades and was uncovered in part due to a passport. Separately, Venezuelan Ely Jeims, known as one of the “muñecas de la mafia” and wanted for embezzlement at PDVSA, recently married a lawyer affiliated with the Petrismo movement in Colombia.